UNION TYRANNY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20322, 2 February 1928, Page 8

UNION TYRANNY.

Foe some reason, as repeated instances drawn from Australian and New Zealand experience illustrate, there is a greater tendency on the part of those who are engaged in maritime occupations to make trouble on the slightest provocation, or, indeed, without any provocation whatever, than is discoverable in connection with any other branch of industry. The delay in the departure of the Makura at Wellington on Tuesday owing to the attitude of the crew in objecting to sailing with the chief steward was a serious matter, and, as frequently happens, the grievance, such as it was,, apparently only came to a head just about the time when the vessel was due to depart. The outcome was a protracted delay while seamen and firemen and stewards argued ' and balloted. Eventually the way was cleared for the vessel’s departure, the chief steward showing an accommodating, disposition in agreeing not only to sign off the ship’s articles but to forego the privilege of travelling on her as a passenger. At this juncture, however, certain members of the crew were found to be missing, and the Makura actually got away nearly eighteen hours behind time. Fresh in mind again is the case of the delay of the departure of the Manuka from this port last week. The ship was timed to sail at 8 p.m.; everything was in readiness, passengers aboard, friends on the quay, and streamers stretched, but it was 10 p.m. before the steamer cast off. The circumstances creating the delay amounted to no more than this, that one of the ship’s firemen had to receive medical attention and it was somewhat late in the afternoon before it was certified that he would be unable to resume duty for the voyage. It was necessary that a man should be engaged in his place, and the regulations respecting the signing on of a fresh member of the crew provide for this being done before 6 p.m. To effect this was in the circumstances impracticable, yet, although the substitute fireman was there and ready to go on board prior to the scheduled time of sailing, the ships’ crew persisted in objecting to his being signed on that evening, and were evidently quite prepared to have the Manuka tied to the Dunedin wharf all night rather than budge from their position. Eventually they were persuaded to withdraw their objection to taking the vessel out; but the triviality of the ground upon which they had held her up till everybody else concerned in her departure was weary of waiting could hardly be surpassed. These incidents of the last few days are but typical examples of the unreasonableness which members of maritime unions are all too prone to exhibit. Their attitude generally amounts to an attempt to exercise deliberate and calculated tyranny. The Wellington episode furnishes a particularly flagrant example of the length to which ships’ crews will go in seeking to institute “ job control.” The interests of the public and of the shipping companies are flouted without any concern and with all too much impunity in interference with the regular move-

ments of shipping. The spirit which dictates such tactics, wherever manifested, is plainly inimical to the establishment of the co-operation between employers and employees in their mutual interests that is being sought at the present time.